KATHMANDU: The Supreme Court has issued a directive order stating that traffic police cannot confiscate driving licenses, vehicle registration documents (bluebooks), or vehicle keys in cases of traffic rule violations.

A joint bench of Justices Abdul Aziz Musalman and Shrikanta Paudel delivered the ruling while hearing a writ petition filed by Bibek Chaudhary against the Ministry of Home Affairs and others.

In the petition, Chaudhary argued that even after paying fines for traffic violations, traffic police had confiscated his driving license.

He also claimed that this practice was widespread and unlawful. Interpreting Section 164 of the Motor Vehicles and Transport Management Act, 1993, the court clarified that traffic police only have the authority to impose on-the-spot fines for violations. If the fine cannot be paid immediately, violators must be issued a notice to appear and pay within 24 hours.

The court found no legal provision allowing traffic police to seize licenses, bluebooks, or vehicle keys.

It ruled that such actions are arbitrary, unlawful, and beyond jurisdiction.

The verdict further emphasized that confiscating these documents without legal authority constitutes an abuse of power and goes against the rule of law.